Motobecane

OK,
So I know there are people out there with issues in regards to the marketing a certain ecomerce org. uses to sell these bikes, but is there any actual information regarding the bikes? I have seen one thread that suggested this line should be on a grab list when looking at used bikes, but real info seems scarce.
I am currently on a Trek 7100 but looking to upgrade the commuter to something a little lighter/quicker (thinking inexpensive road bike or cyclocross bike).

I have a Motobecane "Grand Sprint" that I bought a couple of years ago though the ecommerce site you're probably referring to. I have been delighted with the bike. It was easy to set up out of the box...the one caveat is that the wheel are built pretty loose...in addition to truing, you should probably tighten them all down at least a half-turn. To my mind, my Motobecane was a great deal for the money, allowing me to get a much better group of components on a nice, light frame than I would have been able to do otherwise. And I know not everyone is crazy about aluminum frames but the carbon fork offsets a lot of the brittle ride aluminum has a reputation for. (The same model now has carbon forks and stays and maybe even a carbon seatpost.) I have about 6k miles on it with no major flaws or defect to report. I'm exceedingly happy with it. Plus, it's yellow. The only problem, really, is that a couple of times the mechanic at Bicycle Habitat has jokingly referred to it as a "so-called Motobecane" as it is, admittedly, Chinese-built by a company w/no relationship to the French Motobecane of yore.

As far as vintage Motobecanes, my dad still rides my brother's old (French-built) Motobecane Mirage, which is a good, solid, reliable bike. It's probably 20 or25 years old and he's just now having to replace components, but the frame and wheels are still rock solid.

If you have specific questions I'd be happy to answer them here or via PM.

No one needs an excuse to buy a new bike. But, it is helpful in selecting a new bike to figure out what the new bike can do that is different, or "better" than your current bike. A Trek 7100 is an ideal bike for riding ten or twenty miles, particularly in heavy urban traffic where a cyclist needs a "head's up" position to keep a close eye on the cars to his left, and the truck on his right.

A bike that is "lighter", even five or ten pounds lighter, would not have any real advantage on a ten mile trip over level roads. And, the narrower tires of a road bike are not necessarily an advantage over pot-holed and torn up urban streets.

Too many people buy "light weight" road bikes without any clear idea of why. These bikes were designed for racing. Using them to go to the grocery store, or to ride to work would be like buying an Indy 500 car to haul lumber.

But, if you do have a compelling reason to buy a road bike, buy a good bike, built by a top company, and backed by a first-rate LBS. Buying cheapo bikes from a shady mail order operator is not the best way to buy a bike you are going to be happy with over the long run.

Given I bought mine as a frame and a few mixed components...so i can't say anything about "out of the box" performance, but the frame and the generic branded parts are quality parts.

Only thing I've heard that is consistently bad from the other moto-ites on the forum is that they seem to use a "one size fits all" cabling sheme on the bikes...so small frames tend to have cables that are too long.

No one needs an excuse to buy a new bike. But, it is helpful in selecting a new bike to figure out what the new bike can do that is different, [snip] is not the best way to buy a bike you are going to be happy with over the long run.

Dude, seriously, put a sock in it. The Grand Sprint was an upgrade from my first adult bike, a 45lb.+ beater handmedown mountainbike of my brother's. My Motobecane weighs less than half of what that old bike weighed, which I think even you will agree is a big and appreciable difference. If you have trouble with that, I'd offer the purely anecdotal evidence that my commute the last day w/the MTB was 38 minutes and the next day just under 35. And based on my 6k miles of riding in NYC since I got it, I'd say it's pretty well suited to city riding. I'd be happy to buy within the guideline you provide, if you could recommend a LBS in my area that will put me on a 22 pound bike with a carbon fork and Ultegra components for around $800. I don't know what motivates your sad little vendetta against Motobecane, but it bores me.

And honestly, if I want to drive a (metaphorical) Formula One car to the market, I'm gonna drive a Formula One car to the market.

I bought a CF Motobecane Immortal Spirit frame because I always wanted to try cf and this was an inexpensive way to try it out. Built it up with Dura Ace and Mavic Ksyriums. I love this bike. Nice smooth ride, weighs in at 16.5 lbs, and handles well. There have been no issues and it was easy dealing with BD. From purchase to home was five days, with no issues.
My commute has be 50 miles r/t, one or two days a week, and will be down to about 45 with the new job, but no more beach section. I weigh about 280 and have had no issues, even with a fairly heavy backpack.
Baring any more setbacks, I should be able to begin riding it again, including commutes, in about 3 weeks.
I wouldn't worry about all the BD smack talk here, it seems there are a few people with a stick up their arses about BD, and will spew venom every chance they get. Guess it gives them reason to be and a sense of self importance. Rant over.

Everyone I have met on group rides with Motobecanes has been happy with them, both road and mountain bikes. If you are confident in your wrenching abilities, I see no reason not to get one if it fits your needs. Hell, I had to build the last bike I bought from a bike shop myself anyway, so I might as well have saved $100 and ordered it online and saved myself 100 miles of driving in the process.

May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view.
May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. -Edward Abbey

There's nothing wrong with Motobecane or ordering bikes online if you know geometry and exactly what you want. I find most bike shops to be filled with snobby idiots just trying to make a sale. With that in mind.. if you need repair services, and bring in your Motobecane, prepare to be be sneered at.

OK,
So I know there are people out there with issues in regards to the marketing a certain ecomerce org. uses to sell these bikes, but is there any actual information regarding the bikes? I have seen one thread that suggested this line should be on a grab list when looking at used bikes, but real info seems scarce.
I am currently on a Trek 7100 but looking to upgrade the commuter to something a little lighter/quicker (thinking inexpensive road bike or cyclocross bike).

Any thoughts?

well, I have the same bike and I agree that it seems fairly heavy in trying to get some speed out of it...
I would suggest you go with the Dawes off of ebay. I have a lower model called the lightning sport and I think its a great bike... however, it has old school indexed stem shifters. There is a version (the 1200?) that has the brifters and there is an even higher version that has a carbon fork...

the person on ebay is chicabike.

The version that I have is fine for commuting as it has eyelets for racks and fenders and its much lighter than the trek.
Its also pretty sturdy as I am an uber clyde and I have 1300 miles on mine.